Publications by authors named "Luis M M Lufunda"
Article Synopsis
- qPCR is emerging as a significant method for diagnosing soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), especially for differentiating species like Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms, but its effectiveness can be impacted by how samples are preserved and DNA is extracted.
- In a study involving 3,063 schoolchildren in Angola, qPCR's results were compared to the traditional Kato-Katz technique, showing comparable prevalence for some infections while qPCR identified a higher prevalence of hookworms.
- The agreement between the methods varied, being very good for Ascaris lumbricoides, moderate for Trichuris trichiura, and fair for hookworm, indicating a need for further research on preservation and extraction techniques to
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs require target population engagement, assessed through knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys. We report the results of a KAP survey of Angolan schoolchildren supported by a school preventive chemotherapy (PC) programme, without or with a school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme (PC+/WASH- and PC+/WASH+, respectively); and schoolchildren without a school PC or WASH program (PC-/WASH-). Schoolchildren from PC+/WASH- ( = 218), PC+/WASH+ ( = 250) and PC-/WASH- ( = 254) schools were interviewed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A school preventive chemotherapy (PC) program for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosomiasis has operated in Huambo, Uige and Zaire provinces, Angola, since 2013 and 2014, respectively; complemented by a school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in a subset of schools from 2016. Conducted in 2021, this is the first impact assessment of the school program for the control of schistosomiasis and STHs.
Methodology/principal Findings: A two-stage cluster design was used to select schools and schoolchildren for parasitological and WASH surveys.